7 Techniques to Remember Anything

Do you struggle to remember the name of a person you were just introduced to? How is it that some people seem able to remember everything so easily? Fear not! There is hope for us all.

Whether you’re studying for a test or learning a language, remembering is easier than you think.

1. USE LOCI TO MEMORIZE A SPEECH

Research shows that this method dramatically improves memory. Scientists believe it works by utilizing our navigational and spatial memory skills.

How to:
- Step 1: Mentally recall a journey you know well, for example a walk through your house
- Step 2: Visualize each part of the information that you want to memorize in a different room or area of your house
- Step 3: To recall the information, retrace your route and locate each part as you go through your house

2. USE ACRONYMS TO MEMORIZE A GROUP OF WORDS

Research suggests that we remember things better and retain them longer when we give meaning to them. So it’s much easier to recall a single vivid word or phrase than a list of information.

How to:
- Step 1: Compile the first letters of each item you need to remember.
- Step 2: Rearrange these letters to form a new word that is easy for you to bring to mind.
- Step 3: To recall the items, go through your new word (the acronym) letter by letter.

3. USE RHYMING TO MEMORIZE INFORMATION IN A SPECIFIC ORDER

Rhymes help us to memorize things as our brains are good at breaking down the sound structure of words. This is known as acoustic encoding.

How to: It’s time to get creative and let your inner poet out.

- Example: 30 days hath September, April, June and November.

4. USE LINKING TO MEMORIZE A SHOPPING LIST

By making associations between a list of items you make use of a method called the Visualization & Association Technique, which changes abstract facts into mental pictures that are easy to remember.

How to:
For example, if you have buy soap, honey and lettuce:
- Step 1: Form a visual image for each item on your list. Link the soap to the shop by imagining a wall of soapy foam as you walk towards the shop.
- Step 2: Associate each image with the next image on the list. Imagine bees flying out of the bubbles and landing on a row of lettuce.
memorable.

5. USE CHUNKING TO MEMORIZE LONG NUMBERS

To chunk is to take individual pieces of information and group them into bitesize units. By separating individual elements into larger blocks, information becomes easier to retain and recall.

How to: Take the numbers that you need to remember and group them into separate units.

- For example:
o Take this serial code: 938476693758
o Break it down into 4 chunks: 9384 7669 3758.

6. USE PQRST TO MEMORIZE FACTS FOR AN EXAM

PQRST stands for Preview, Question, Read, State and Test.10 Experts say it works because it provides you with stronger retrieval cues.11

How to:
- Preview: Briefly skim through the material.
- Question: Ask important questions about the information you're reading.
- Read: Read the material completely, without taking notes.
- State: State the answers to key questions out loud.
- Test: Test yourself to make sure you remembered the information.

7. WRITE THINGS DOWN TO LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE

Writing by hand stimulates cells at the base of your brain, triggering your reticular activating system (RAS), which makes your brain pay more attention and active in forming each letter.

How to: Write the words down on flashcards and review them three times a day.

Mary is a freelance writer and digital nomad currently living in rainy yet wonderful London. She writes (and reads!) about personal growth, productivity in the workplace, self improvement, and the importance of work/life balance and how to achieve it.